In our fast moving world, technology and its benefits are constantly changing and evolving to meet the needs of individuals and businesses. With the incredible benefits and capabilities of technology also come its pitfalls, including the risk of cybersecurity threats. Cybersecurity threats are done by cyberattackers and can impact a business or individual’s financial operation, public image, or overall processes and integrity. Staying informed about what cybersecurity really is and how to avoid threats will protect you and your business from unwanted harm.
So What is a Cybersecurity Threat?
These types of “threats” refer to illegal activities that target people or businesses and aim to take advantage of systems, networks or devices by stealing information or causing damage. The goal of a cyberattack can vary from financial reasons to breaches of private information. Malware, phishing attacks and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are some of the most common cybersecurity threats, but the attackers adapt to changes in technology. It’s important to be aware of how cybersecurity threats happen and what to look out for to protect your information, finances, and the integrity of your business.
Why do Cybersecurity Threats Happen?
There’s no one reason why cybersecurity threats occur which makes it hard to pinpoint why exactly your business has been attacked. There are some common sources of cyberthreat activity, though, and understanding how they could impact your business can help you stay ahead of cyberattackers. Read up on a few of the most common causes of cybersecurity.
Hostile Nation-States
When nations are at odds, “cyber espionage” may take place with the goal of gaining private information or intellectual property to wage against another nation. These attackers may also disrupt infrastructure to cause breakdowns in a nation’s functions.
Terrorist Groups
Terrorist organizations frequently engage in cybersecurity threats in order to spread information that causes chaos. They may spread propaganda to attract members.
Corporate Spies and Organized Crime Organizations
These types of hackers have the goal of financial gain by trying to discover company secrets, conducting fraudulent activity, or running ransomware attacks. If left unaddressed these hackers can cause extreme financial harm.
Hacktivists
Hacktivists typically work for a specific political or social cause and they try to spread information about what they favor and discredit opinions against them. Hacktivist measures may involve defacing a website or spreading false information.
Disgruntled Insiders
Unfortunately even after an angry employee is fired, they may still have access to private information. Or, someone still working may be frustrated enough that they go after a company through cyberattack since they have the private information to leak.
Hackers
People who are skilled in hacking can range from amateur to extremely professional. The reasons these hackers commit cybersecurity threats may not be clear, as it could be for monetary gain but also for fame for completing the hacking “challenge”.
Natural Disasters
We may not think about it, but when an area is impacted physically by a natural disaster its technology infrastructure also shuts down. When a system shuts down because of a natural disaster the data is more vulnerable to a cybersecurity threat.
Accidental Actions of Authorized Users
Unfortunately, sometimes we as humans just make mistakes! Many times cybersecurity threats happen because of accidentally deleted information or a person falling for a phishing scam.
Common cyber threats
Feel like you’re experiencing a cyberthreat but not quite sure if it’s something out of the ordinary? We’re here to help you understand what a cyberthreat may look like so you don’t fall into the trap. Common cyber threats can range from minor to severe, so it’s vital to understand what the attacks can look like. Cyber Attackers are quick to find ways to hack your system and knowledge about the common threats can help you stay ahead of them.
- Malware: These are your traditional viruses or worms that seem like safe, downloaded software, but they have the intent of damaging your system or gaining access to private information.
- Spyware: These breaches of data are hidden from the user so that the malware can take private information without the user realizing.
- Phishing Attacks: You may experience a phishing attack on a false website or email pretending to be from someone you recognize and trust, typically containing a fraudulent link.
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks: The goal of this attack is to overwhelm a system with so much internet traffic that users cannot access it.
- Ransomware: Your data is held for “ransom” in these attacks, as hackers gain access to private information and then require payment or a decryption key to return the information.
- Zero-Day Exploits: This is an attack on a vulnerable system that is unknown to a company so that there is no immediate solution to the threat.
- Advanced Persistent Threats: Similar to spyware, this type of attack is typically unknown and the attacker gains access for a longer period of time.
- Supply Chain Attacks: Hackers will attack third-party companies that are more vulnerable in the supply chain to then gain access to larger companies.
- Trojans: Hidden in plain sight; these softwares you can download are seemingly legitimate but hack into your system and can steal data.
- Wiper Attacks: The goal of these attacks is to completely delete all of a system’s data or “wipe it out”
- Intellectual Property Theft: Your intellectual property includes proprietary information, trade secrets or material that is copyrighted and the hacker steals this for financial or competitive gain.
- Theft of Money: Simple hacks that result in a loss of money.
- Data Manipulation: Small changes are made to data without notice so that decisions for a company will be made based on inaccurate information.
- Data Destruction: Instead of just altering the data, data is completely destroyed so that operations are disrupted.
- Man-in-the-Middle Attack (MITM Attack): Between lines of communication a hacker will receive and alter messages to either steal data or cause disruption between parties.
- Drive-by Downloads: Occasionally you may download something that contains malware but is disguised as something completely different.
- Malvertising: Sometimes a legitimate website may have ads that have a malicious code or link that leads to malware.
- Rogue Software: These softwares are usually completely fake but are disguised as something legitimate and after they are downloaded they can steal data or spread malware.
- Unpatched Software: If a software is unpatched it is unprotected and vulnerable to cyberattack because they could be easily patched but hackers are aware they are not.
Biggest Cyber Threats in 2025
Our technological devices and systems are constantly updating and changing and so are the cyberthreats. The threats experienced in 2020 are completely different than the ones seen today. Read more to find out the cybersecurity threats you should watch out for in 2025.
Covid-Themed Phishing Attacks
If you receive an email with COVID-19 information, make sure it is legitimate. These emails may have information regarding updates, vaccine details and medical information and encourage you to click on malicious links. Refer to a trusted medical official before trusting these phishing communications.
Ransomware Attacks
Hackers withholding information from a company and requiring payment is still a large threat. The amount of ransomware attacks continues to increase. They will target important infrastructures and bigger companies.
Insider Threats
Employees may cause data breaches whether maliciously or accidental. Finance and healthcare companies are the top victims of these kinds of threats.
Supply Chain Attacks
To eventually gain access to larger companies attackers will go for lower, less secure companies on the supply chain. Gaining access to these smaller companies without detection can grant them access to the infrastructure and private information of bigger companies.
Polyglot Files
These files are typically disguised as downloadable, safe files that hide malicious malware that goes unnoticed by security scans.
DDoS Attacks
We have seen a surge in these attacks that create an increase in traffic and result in the system being completely unusable. Attackers have started to use more intense and frequent surges.
Social Engineering
AI has been a key component of this type of cybersecurity threat, as attackers use a real tone of voice and video clones that work to trick a person into divulging private information.
Phishing
The goal of this threat is to Manipulate people into giving their private information by clicking on a link or filling in private information from what seems like a trusted site. Phishers are constantly evolving to attack what customers most use and trust to gain access to private information.
Malvertising
Be careful about what ads you click on! Many times, “malvertisers” will hide malware in ads on reputable websites so that you click on them and then you wind up on a malicious site or with malware downloaded.
Zero-Day Exploits
Make sure your systems are not vulnerable. These types of attacks aim to go after systems that are without protection and do not have an easy way to be fixed, giving hackers unauthorized access to private information for an undisclosed amount of time.
Why is it Necessary to Protect Against Cyber Threats?
When you know better, you can do better. As you can see, cybersecurity threats are constantly changing. They pose a great threat to any individual or professional business as it can lead to leakage of information that causes incredible financial or personal losses. Cybersecurity attackers aim to dismantle technological structures and gain private information that will derail any sort of operations. You want to be sure to protect your business from potential breaches of privacy. At ScribNet in Richmond, VA, we have Managed Service Providers who are experts on how to protect against cybersecurity threats and offer you solutions if you are ever experiencing an issue. Find out more about how we maintain cybersecurity.
What do cybersecurity threats have in common?
Although the cause and method of cybersecurity threats can vary widely their goals are all very similar. Cybersecurity attackers are attempting to take advantage of vulnerable parts of your system so that they can cause harm and get access to private information. These threats are constantly everchanging and hackers are always attempting to find new ways to get around any kind of defenses. Whether the threat is attempting to steal money, cause lapses in service, or harm the integrity of a system, the intent to harm is the main goal.
How to protect against cybersecurity threats?
So, what can you do to make sure you’re as prepared as you can be for a cybersecurity threat? It’s important that you hire a trusted company that can protect you. At ScribNet we have been serving the Richmond, VA area for over a decade and are renowned for our highly trained security management teams. Our managed services have a 99% SLA fulfillment rate and we maintain security to ensure that we handle any threats that come your way. If you’re looking for Cybersecurity support from a trusted IT company, contact ScribNet today.
